Popular Lithographs by theKellogg brothers of Hartford

From about 1830 through the rest of the century, the Kellogg brothers, in various partnerships among themselves and with others, published popular lithographs in Hartford, Connecticut. These firms issued the second largest number of decorative prints intended for the American public, surpassed only by their New York rivals, Currier & Ives, producing thousands of lithographs, most hand-colored, which ended up in the homes and work places of Americans. The Kelloggs' prints were typical of the popular print style: colorful, affordable and with images covering much the same range of topics as those of their New York counterpart. Subjects included portraits, historical events, scenes of daily life, views, religious themes, politics, sports, animals, sentimental images and any other topic that might be of interest to the American public.

Jarvis Griggs Kellogg (1805-1873), was an engraver who worked mostly in Boston, but returned to Hartford. He was not associated with his brother's firms, but he did issue some lithographs.

Daniel Wright Kellogg (1807-1874), founded the Kellogg business about 1830, which was known as D.W. Kellogg & Co. until 1842.

Horace Thayer. A New York publisher who formed a short-lived partnership of Kellogg & Thayer, 1846-47.

John Chenavard Comstock (1818-1862). Partner in Kellogg & Comstock from 1848 to 1850.

D.M. Dewey. A Rochester firm which distributed and co-published prints with the Kelloggs.

D. Needham. A Buffalo firm which regularly distributed and co-published prints with the Kelloggs.

William Henry Bulkeley (1840-1902). Became a partner in 1871, forming Kellogg & Bulkeley, which lasted into the 20th century.

The Connecticut Historical Society Museum, which holds the largest collection of Kellogg prints, is conducting an ambitious project to compile a complete chronological list of all the prints issued by the Kelloggs between 1830 and 1900, and to produce a major publication about their work. The CHS has published a superb reference on the firm, edited by Nancy Finlay, Curator of Graphics. Entitled Picturing Victorian America: Prints by the Kellogg Brothers of Hartford, Connecticut, this is the definitive reference on the Kelloggs. Nancy is continuing to conduct primary research on the firm and is trying to locate additional resources, including prints and documents, in public and private collections throughout the United States.

"Martin Van Buren." Hartford: D.W. Kellogg. Vignette, ca. 9 x 9. Lithograph. Original hand color. Repaired tear in bottom right, well away from image. Otherwise very good condition. This print was issued based on a life-portrait of Van Buren, either shortly before or during his presidency. $175

A strong campaign print for Abraham Lincoln by the Kellogg brothers and their associate George Whiting in New York. This was probably the first print of Lincoln by the Kelloggs. The face, which is beardless, may have been based on a photograph of Lincoln, but the resemblance is poor. The firm issued another (reversed) campaign print which has a better image of Lincoln, which seems to indicate that this version was rushed out as soon as information reached Hartford that Lincoln had been nominated. Typically of such campaign prints is the fact that "Republican candidate for" is in small type between Lincoln's name and the designation "Sixteenth President ..." This would have allowed the firm to reissue the print if Lincoln was elected by simply erasing the middle line of the title. The Kelloggs did do that with the later campaign portrait (cf. Brashears & Shortell 4 & 5), but this hurried print seems to have been discarded once the better print was made. $1,800

"Niagara Suspension Bridge." [At top: "Niagara And Its Wonders."] Hartford & New York: E.B. & E.C. Kellogg and Rochester: D.M. Dewey, 1855. 8 1/4 x 13 1/4. Lithograph. At one time folded, but expertly conserved. Trimmed at right just into neat line at top; with new margin added. Overall, very good appearance and condition. Impressions of Niagara: 273. This view of the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge was issued to celebrate the opening of this "wonder." The view of the new bridge in the center is surrounded by twelve smaller views of the Falls and the Niagara region. $225

An attractive and documentary ship print by the prolific Kellogg firm in Hartford. Connecticut and its neighboring New England states were producing a quantity and variety of ships in the first half of the 19th Century. The calmness among the onlookers ashore gives a studied pride in the variety of types of ships, at least six, most flying American flags. A proud piece. $425